Scalable Storage Apparatus

ABSTRACT

An expandable storage system that is scalable so that an individual powder serving can be provided for any number of days by providing an array of interconnected cups with a funnel top.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/622,935 filed Apr. 11, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This disclosure is related to the field of the storage apparatus. Particularly to storage apparatus that are scalable and useful for transporting powders.

2. Description of Related Art

Fitness nutrition is a growing science devoted to making sure the human body has sufficient forms of various raw ingredients before, during, and after exercise. One of the major raw ingredients is proteins and a common source of such proteins are protein powders (specifically whey protein isolate in many cases) which allow for a person engaging in an intense workout to have a source of readily absorbable protein. Further, there are other products that provide for electrolytes and other materials to assist in hydration and energy during exercise and to prevent glycemic events which can result in potential danger.

Because of the realized benefits of nutrition being provided to the body in close proximity to exercise, a large proportion of people who frequent gyms often carry with them protein powders, or other supplements in powdered form, to provide for these benefits. Powders are popular as they are often significantly less expensive than the purchase of prepared drinks and are often more shelf stable. Generally, the powder is mixed with water at the gym, and is consumed either during the exercise or directly before or after exercise. Alternatively, the powders may be mixed with other materials such as milk or juices. The use of such powders as part of a workout is generally identical whether the exerciser is attending a local gym, at home, or on the road using a hotel's gym or a gym convenient to where the traveler is staying.

The majority of gym-goers buy powders such as protein in large bulk containers with measures of 3 lbs. (1.36 Kg) or more. Such bulk purchasing can dramatically reduce cost and provides for a large “stock” of the material to be available. However, the portion required for a single workout is generally only a small scoop. The representative size of the scoop is typically less than 100 ccs with 77 ccs and 33 ccs being typical. This has a weight equivalent of less than 33 grams. Thus, the bulk container is often 40+ times the size required for a single trip to the gym.

When going to the gym, the gym-goer is faced with a few choices. He can carry the bulky original container, and can use the inclusive scoop to measure and then rather awkwardly transfer the measure to the narrow neck of a bottle of water which is generally highly undesirable. Alternatively, the gym-goer can transfer the powder to a smaller container, and carry the scoop separately. Again the transfer of the powder to the water bottle is awkward, and almost certainly will result in some spillage of the powder since the scoop is often well suited to measurement, but poorly suited for pouring. Another alternative is to “prefill” a water bottle with the powdered material at home, and then add water or juice at the gym. While this can result in an easier system and can allow a water bottle that is easier to fill (due to a wider neck than those common on commercial bottled water, for example), it requires the use of a personal water bottle which requires regular cleaning and can often be difficult to transport when travelling.

Another alternative which is used by many exercisers who have to travel on a regular basis is to measure the powder into a resealable plastic bag or equivalent. The transfer of the powder to the bottled water is perhaps less awkward, especially if the bag is sacrificed by cutting one of the corners off the bag, essentially turning the bag into a funnel, but it can be expensive and is not environmentally friendly as it results in the disposal of a large number of plastic bags.

For the commercial/industrial traveler who wishes to maintain his fitness on the road, the problem is exacerbated by the need often to travel lightly and compactly. A large percentage of people today who wish to maintain a workout regime on the road will utilize the plastic bag method as it is often the best compromise between the necessities of travel and the use of a foreign gym. Each bag carries a measured amount of powder with the traveler packing as many as are needed for their trip. Such bags, however, are not made of the most robust material, and so sometimes the rough handling of baggage on the journey results in an inconvenient spillage of the contents. With some powders, this can be a significant problem as they react with water and can stain or harm other items in the baggage.

SUMMARY

Because of these and other problems in the art, described herein is an expandable storage system that is a light, compact, convenient, and robust way of carrying powder to a local gym or while travelling to cover the length of the trip. The system is reusable and scalable so that an individual powder serving can be provided for any number of days. Further, the system is designed to provide for easy and efficient transfer of the powder to a commercial plastic beverage bottle of the type generally retailed which has a relatively small cap and neck.

Described herein, among other things, is a storage system comprising: a cup including: a hollow internal volume; a first connector; and a second connector; wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; and a funnel top including: a first connector; and a tip; wherein said first connector on said funnel top is connected to said second connector on said cup; and wherein when said funnel top and said cup are so connected, material in said hollow internal volume can exit said hollow internal volume via said tip.

In an embodiment of said system, said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is powder-tight.

In an embodiment of said system, said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is liquid-tight.

In an embodiment of said system, said cup is indexed for different volumes.

In an embodiment of said system, said tip is generally cylindrical.

In an embodiment of said system, said tip has a diameter of about 22 millimeters or less.

In an embodiment of said system, said funnel top also comprises a generally conical frustum connected to said tip.

In an embodiment, the system further includes a bung closing said tip.

There is also described herein, a storage system comprising: a plurality of cups, each of said cups including: a hollow internal volume; a first connector; and a second connector; wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; and a funnel top including: a first connector; and a tip; wherein said first connector on said funnel top is connected to said second connector on a first cup in said plurality of cups; wherein said first connector on said first cup is connected to said second connector on a second cup in said plurality of cups; wherein when said funnel top and said first cup are so connected, material in said hollow internal volume can exit said hollow internal volume of said first cup via said tip; and wherein when said first cup and said second cup are so connected, material in said second cup cannot exit said hollow internal volume of said second cup.

In an embodiment of said system, all of said cups in said plurality of cups are positioned so that each second connector is connected to a first connector.

In an embodiment of said system, all of said cups in said plurality of cups are connected to at least one other cup in said plurality of cups.

In an embodiment of said system, all said first connectors in said plurality of cups are arranged on a base of said cup.

In an embodiment of said system, all said second connectors in said plurality of cups are arranged on an upper rim of said cup.

In an embodiment of said system, said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is powder-tight.

In an embodiment of said system, said cup is indexed for different volumes.

In an embodiment of said system, said tip is generally cylindrical.

In an embodiment of said system, said tip has a diameter of about 22 millimeters or less.

In an embodiment of said system, said funnel top also comprises a generally conical frustum connected to said tip.

In an embodiment, said system further includes a bung closing said tip.

There is also described herein a method of transporting a powder, the method comprising: providing a plurality of cups, each of said cups including: a hollow internal volume; a first connector at a base thereof; and a second connector at an upper rim thereof; wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; providing a funnel top including: a first connector; and a tip; placing a powder in said hollow internal volume of all of said cups in said plurality; attaching said first connector on said funnel top to said second connector on a first cup in said plurality of cups to seal said powder in said hollow internal volume in said first cup in said hollow internal volume of said first cup, said combination of said funnel top and said cup comprising an array; connecting an open first connector on said array to said second connector on a next cup in said plurality of cups to seal said powder in said hollow internal volume in said next cup in said hollow internal volume of said next cup, said next cup now being part of said array; repeating said connecting for all cups in said plurality of cups.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows a cup from an embodiment of an expandable storage apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows a funnel top from an embodiment of an expandable storage apparatus.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an expandable storage apparatus formed from two cups and a funnel top.

FIG. 4 shows a cup from a second embodiment of an expandable storage apparatus.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a funnel top from a second embodiment of an expandable storage apparatus. FIG. 5A is a perspective view. FIG. 5B is a side view.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of an expandable storage apparatus formed from two cups and a funnel top.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The expandable storage system described herein generally comprises two major components. The first is a cup (100) as shown in FIG. 1. The cup (100) generally comprises a hollow structure having a solid base (101), a side wall (103) and an open top (105). These components define an internal volume (107) into which materials can be placed. The base (101) will generally extend from the distal edge (131) of the side wall to create a circular flange (111) which includes a female connector (121) formed of two openings. The side wall (103) will generally slant outward from the distal edge to the proximal edge (135) (given the proximal edge (135) a greater diameter than the distal edge (131)). The distal edge (131) includes, generally on the top thereof, a male connector (125) designed to interface with female connector (121).

In use, materials stored in the cup (100) are placed in the internal volume (107) and will generally comprise powders or other flowable compositions which are in concentrated form and are designed to be mixed into, combined with, or suspended in a secondary fluid prior to use. In an embodiment, the powders will be those normally associated with activities such as, fitness, exercise, athletics, anaerobic and aerobic activities, or extreme and recreational sports, including, without limitation, protein powders (such as whey protein isolates), electrolyte compositions, amino acid compositions, and carbohydrate compositions. This is by no means necessary, however, and other materials may be stored in different embodiments including larger particulate goods (e.g. pill tablets or capsules), liquids, or gels. Further, powders used for other purposes including, but not limited to, powdered baby formula, medicinal compositions, construction compositions (e.g. powdered cement or plaster), and spices can also be carried.

In the depicted embodiment of FIG. 1, the cup (100) is indexed for different volumes with the inner surface (113) of the side wall (103) including index markers (123) visible on the inside. This allows the cup (100) to be used as a measuring scoop in order to fill it, or can allow for a confirmation that the cup (100) includes a desired amount of powder.

Each cup (100) is designed to be interconnected with any other cup (100), making a powder-tight (or in some embodiments liquid-tight), stackable array (300) such as is shown in FIG. 3. The stackable array (300) in FIG. 3 comprises two cups (100 a) and (100 b) topped by a funnel top (200) as shown in FIG. 2, however this is by no means required and the top can be a flat lid or could be an empty cup (100) in alternative embodiments.

There are multiple ways of interconnecting the cups (100) and/or the funnel (200) in order to form the array (300). The connection method of the FIGS. utilizes a two-part male (121) and female (125) connector in the general form of a side release buckle. That is the male connector (121) has two spring arms (151) each of which includes a retaining block (153). The retaining block (153) is tapered at its proximal end (155) and includes a shelf (157) at its distal end. The spring arms (151) are biased to a generally perpendicular position to the proximal edge (135).

To form the array (300), the spring arms (151) are displaced against their bias by pushing the tapered surface of the proximal end (155) against the underside of the outer walls (152) of the female connector (121). Once the shelf (157) clears the outer walls (152), the spring arms return to their default position due to the biasing. The spring arms (151) are, thus, held in place by passing through and locking with the female connector (121) as best shown in FIG. 3.

In alternative embodiments, the specific form of male (125) and female (121) connectors shown can be replaced by alternative connectors, mating systems, or connecting means such as mating screw threads (421) and (425) as shown in the cup (400) of FIG. 4 and funnel (500) of FIGS. 5A and 5B, snap-type connectors, buttons, clips, or other forms of connectors known now or later discovered. When the cups (100) are stacked into array (300), the bottom of the upper cup (100 b) seals the lower cup (100 a) by providing a top over the volume (107) to inhibit material which is within the volume (107) from exiting the volume (107) when the array (300) is constructed. While not shown in the FIGS., in an alternative embodiment, an O-ring or coating may be provided which seats between the bottom of the upper cup (100 b) and the top of the lower cup (100 a) to enhance the seal. In an embodiment, such ring may be separable. Alternatively, it may be essentially permanently attached to the top and/or bottom of each cup (100). Similarly an array of cups (400) and funnel (500) may be formed into an array (600) as shown in FIG. 6.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, The top cup (100 b) is sealed by a funnel top (200) to provide additional functionality to the array (300). An embodiment of the funnel top (200) is shown in FIG. 2 and comprises a base (201) forming a flange (211) which is generally the same size and shape as the base (101) of the cup (100). It also includes a similar female connector (221) allowing the male connector (125) on the cup (100 b) to mesh with the female connector (221) in generally the same fashion as it would mesh with another cup (100). The main body (223) is funnel shaped comprising a generally conical frustum shape (225) with a hollow, generally tubular tip (227) attached to the point thereof. While the tubular tip (227) in FIG. 2 is centered relative to the base (201), this is by no means required and it may be offset in an alternative embodiment.

The funnel opening (229) may be closed either by the equivalent of a bung (or stop) (231), as shown in FIG. 3, by a cap (such as, but not limited to, a screw cap), or by other closing means or devices known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the bung (231) is connected via a flexible strap (233) to the base (221) to inhibit its separation from the funnel top (200) and potential loss. The funnel (223) is generally sized and shaped so that the generally tubular portion (227) can easily be placed within the neck of a commercial water bottle. As most commercial bottles today have necks generally about 22 millimeters in diameter, the funnel's tubular portion (227) will, therefore, generally be less than about 22 millimeters in outer diameter.

When the user wants to use the contents of the first cup (100 b), the bung (231) is removed from the funnel opening (229), and the funnel tubular portion (227) is introduced into the neck of the water bottle. The array (300) is then inverted and the contents of the interior volume (107) of the top cup (100 b) are thus emptied into the bottle. Following the emptying, the funnel top (200) is unattached from the cup (100 b), and then the cup (100 b) removed from the stack. The closed funnel top (200) is then attached to the new top of the array (300). This is now cup (100 a). The removed cup (100 b) can then be cleaned and/or attached to the bottom of the stack (300) for storage until the array's (300) user is able to return home. Alternatively, the removed cup (100 b) could form the basis of a new cup array (300).

Both the cup (100) and funnel top (200) are preferably made of material which is rugged, hygienic and dishwasher safe such as, but not limited to, plastic or metal. Cups (100) are preferably provided in multiple colors, which can be used by the user to indicate all manner of things, such as, but not limited to, which day the powder is for, which of the various cups (100) contain a different powder or different volume of powder, or that the cups are for use by different users.

The device allows the exerciser who travels to carry an array (300) (cups (100) plus a funnel top (200)) sufficient for the number of days the exerciser is away or the number of doses of material they wish to transport. Specifically, the user will generate a stack (300) equal to the number of specific doses of powder that they will need (e.g. one for each day). If the amount to be transported is sufficiently large, the stack (300) may be broken into multiple stacks utilizing multiple funnel tops (200). Alternatively, an empty cup (100) or a flat lid, which is also capable of connecting to the male connector (125) on the top of the cup (100), may be used at a strategic length on an alternative array (300) to allow the array (300) to be broken apart for easier transport. The exerciser who is visiting his/her gym need only carry a short array (300) (e.g. one cup (100) and the funnel to (200)) for a single visit such as when they are exercising in their standard gym location.

Depending on the embodiment, the cups (100) may be a fixed size and shape as shown in the current embodiment. Alternatively, the cups (100) may be formed of a flexible material with rigid ends to allow for greater packing density, or a selectively flexible material to provide rigidity in the loaded state and flexibility in the empty state. The cups (100) may additionally be made using a telescoping design where rigid sections slide past each other to form an interior volume (107) of variable size, either for empty packing or the storage of different amounts of powder. Still further, a variety of cups (100) of different heights may be provided, in an embodiment, to provide for a variety of different volumes (107) while still allowing the cups (100) to attach to each other (and the funnel top (200)) in the formation of the array (300).

While the cups of the FIGS. are of a relatively specific shape, it should be recognized that the cups may be of any shape so long as they stack in a manner which creates a powder-tight (or liquid-tight in an alternative embodiment) seal between the interlocking elements, and need not stack only in the “vertical” direction, but may stack in both the “vertical” and “horizontal” directions. Thus, in alternative embodiments, the ends (131) and (135) may be circular, oval, elliptical, triangular, quadrilateral, polygonal, or other shapes.

While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a description of certain embodiments, including those that are currently believed to be the preferred embodiments, the detailed description is intended to be illustrative and should not be understood to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments other than those described in detail herein are encompassed by the present invention. Modifications and variations of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A storage system comprising: a cup including: a hollow internal volume; a first connector; and a second connector; wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; and a funnel top including: a first connector; and a top; wherein said first connector on said funnel top is connected to said second connector on said cup; and wherein when said funnel top and said cup are so connected, material in said hollow internal volume can exit said hollow internal volume via said top.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is powder-tight.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is liquid-tight.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said cup is indexed for different volumes.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said tip is generally cylindrical.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said tip has a diameter of about 22 millimeters or less.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein said funnel top also comprises a generally conical frustum connected to said top.
 8. The system of claim 5 further including a bung closing said top.
 9. A storage system comprising: a plurality of cups, each of said cups including: a hollow internal volume; a first connector; and a second connector; wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; and a funnel top including: a first connector; and a top; wherein said first connector on said funnel top is connected to said second connector on a first cup in said plurality of cups; wherein said first connector on said first cup is connected to said second connector on a second cup in said plurality of cups; wherein when said funnel top and said first cup are so connected, material in said hollow internal volume can exit said hollow internal volume of said first cup via said top; and wherein when said first cup and said second cup are so connected, material in said second cup cannot exit said hollow internal volume of said second cup.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein all of said cups in said plurality of cups are positioned so that each second connector is connected to a first connector.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein all of said cups in said plurality of cups are connected to at least one other cup in said plurality of cups.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein all said first connectors in said plurality of cups are arranged on a base of said cup.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein all said second connectors in said plurality of cups are arranged on an upper rim of said cup.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is powder-tight.
 15. The system of claim 9, wherein said cup is indexed for different volumes.
 16. The system of claim 9, wherein said tip is generally cylindrical.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said tip has a diameter of about 22 millimeters or less.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein said funnel top also comprises a generally conical frustum connected to said tip.
 19. The system of claim 16, further including a bung closing said top.
 20. A method of transporting a powder, the method comprising: providing a plurality of cups, each of said cups including: a hollow internal volume; a first connector at a base thereof; and a second connector at an upper rim thereof; wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; providing a funnel top including: a first connector; and a tip; placing a powder in said hollow internal volume of all of said cups in said plurality; attaching said first connector on said funnel top to said second connector on a first cup in said plurality of cups to seal said powder in said hollow internal volume in said first cup in said hollow internal volume of said first cup, said combination of said funnel top and said cup comprising an array; connecting an open first connector on said array to said second connector on a next cup in said plurality of cups to seal said powder in said hollow internal volume in said next cup in said hollow internal volume of said next cup, said next cup now being part of said array; and repeating said connecting for all cups in said plurality of cups. 